Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40180697›Full record

SynthesisJournal of racial and ethnic health disparities2026

Association Between Patient Race/Ethnicity, Health Literacy, Socio-Economic Status, and Incidence of Medication Errors: A Systematic Review.

Kelly Suen, Sunil Shrestha, Samira Osman, Vibhu Paudyal

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Kelly SuenSchool of Pharmacy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
Sunil ShresthaDepartment of Research and Academics, Kathmandu Cancer Center, Tathali, Nala Road, Bhaktapur, Province Bagmati, Nepal.
Samira OsmanSchool of Pharmacy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
Vibhu PaudyalSchool of Pharmacy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. Vibhu.paudyal@kcl.ac.uk.ORCID 0000-0002-9174-7120

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionMedication errors represent a significant source of healthcare-related harm, leading to mortality, morbidity, and substantial costs to health systems. Existing evidence highlights dissatisfaction and perceived discrimination experienced by patients from minority ethnic and disadvantaged backgrounds within healthcare settings.

objectiveThe study aimed to systematically review the literature on associations between patient race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, health literacy, and the incidence or patient experience of medication errors in healthcare and community (home) settings.

methodsA systematic review was conducted by searching an electronic database including EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO. Studies published in English from January 2010 to October 2023, which explored the association between ethnicity, social disadvantage, and medication errors, were included.

resultsThirteen studies met the inclusion criteria from an initial identification of 2075 titles. Findings indicated that minority ethnic patients were more susceptible to prescription errors, undertreatment, administration errors, and suboptimal medication monitoring and follow-up by healthcare providers. Patients with low health literacy and limited English proficiency were also significantly likely to experience comprehension errors and medication discrepancies. Furthermore, ethnicity and social disadvantages were also associated with an increased risk of overdosing in pediatric medication administration, particularly among parents using dosing cups.

conclusionMinority ethnic background, low socio-economic status, and low health literacy can risk a higher likelihood of patients experiencing medication errors. Increasing awareness of these disparities among healthcare staff is essential for developing targeted interventions to mitigate inequalities in patient experiences and care outcomes in relation to medication use and safety. Future research should investigate the importance of intersectionality, such as multiple social disadvantages in this context.

Indexed as

EthnicityHealth LiteracyMedication ErrorsRacial GroupsSocial ClassHumansIncidenceMinority GroupsEthnic minority patientsHealth inequalityHealth literacyMedication errorsSocio-economic status

Identifiers

PMID40180697
PMCPMC13157403

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.